D.C. United to host Ocean City Barons on June 30

Washington, D.C. (June 17, 2009) - D.C. United learned last night that the defending U.S. Open Cup champions will host the PDL’s Ocean City Barons in the third round of the 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, June 30. Ocean City upset Real Maryland 1-0 last night to earn a date with the Black-and-Red at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, MD. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets for the match are available for $25 (including parking), while groups of 10 or more can purchase at the $22 price level. Season ticket holders will receive a special ticket discount and should contact D.C. United for additional information. Tickets can be purchased via www.dcunited.com or by calling United offices at 202-587-5000.

Last year, D.C. United won the U.S. Open Cup for the second time in club history by defeating the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division, 2-1, in front of the home fans at RFK Stadium on Sept. 3. United began their title defense this year with play-in victories against MLS rivals FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls. United recorded a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas on April 22, before defeating New York 5-3 on May 20 at RFK to earn a spot in the Open Cup field.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an annual national competition that is open to all amateur and professional soccer teams that are affiliated with U.S. Soccer. It is the oldest tournament in the U.S., beginning in 1914 when Brooklyn Field Club took home the very first title. MLS teams were first included in the tournament in the inaugural 1996 season, with D.C. United taking home the title. The only non-MLS team to win the tournament since then was the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1999, when they defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-0 in the final.

The tournament bracket is formed by teams from the USL First Division, USL Second Division, USL Premier Development League, and United States Adult Soccer Association. Teams compete in single elimination play, adding MLS teams to the mix in the third round, and continue on towards the championship game.

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